WANTED: Ordinary People

While this may be true at a certain degree, I’m quite sure most people have articulated similar statements when being challenged to step up into service, into a kind of ministry, or into a leadership position regardless the context. I am not one to judge their motives, but in my own experience, I’ve sometimes made them to prevent myself from responding with a “yes” to such opportunities. I sulk into emphasizing the inadequacy I find in me. I just can’t bear thinking that such a loser would accept the challenge.

Oops! I guess I’m being too hard on myself there, so pardon me for my moment of self-pity. Yet again, I can’t help but believe that millions (and probably billions) of humans think and feel the same way! We raise the “L” gesture on our foreheads and we condemn ourselves for being not enough. We embrace that “I-ain’t-perfect-for-the-job” attitude over and over, both consciously and subconsciously.

Here’s a thought, though… as long as sin lurks in the human heart, we could never say that we’re downright perfect for anything. HOWEVER, God uses imperfect human beings for His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Years ago, there lived two men named John and Peter. These guys were pretty close friends, I’d say. They had been working and journeying together for more than three years by then. Other than that, they’re prominently known for being followers of Jesus. And when this account was taken, Jesus has already left earth and has commissioned his disciples to spread the news about Him.

Then, the story continues.

On an ordinary day, as they were walking towards the temple for their time of prayer, a beggar who had been lame from his childhood suddenly appeared into the picture. The man asked for alms, as he’d usually do, but Peter and John don’t have money as well.

Instead, they gave what the beggar really needed – healing. In an instant, his feet and ankles were strengthened, and he was able to walk for the first time! He leaped in jubilation! He glorified God, in response!

Since he’d been begging alms for quite a long time, people noticed the radical change, of course. It was sure that such a miraculous event could not escape the eyes and ears of the “bosses” of the religious sects of that time. True enough, being alarmed, the higher-ups had to bring Peter and John in for interrogation.

“By what power or what name did you do this?” they sternly asked.

Now, brace yourself for Peter’s fearless response:

“Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.”

Peter and John were filled with the Holy Spirit as they were being grilled before the Sandhedrin; and that fact simply resonated in the entire hall.

When the higher-ups saw these two guys’ courage and “realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

Unschooled? Ordinary? Noteworthy.

If you would closely observe God both in the Old and New Testaments, He really has a knack for picking people you would least expect to be in the frontlines.

Even if it’s unorthodox, one’s credential was, is, and will never be an issue in His perspective. After all, His kingdom is open for servants, not “rock stars”. He is constantly in search for ordinary people, regardless his or her background. And from these imperfect people, He turns their ashes into beauty by transforming the core of their beings and enabling them to do what could be thought impossible.

How about you? Do you struggle with so many insecurities? Does your feeling of inadequacy hinder you from being more and more of the person that God has called you to be?

Shake it off. And, think again.

Remember this: the Lord glorifies Himself through the lives of ordinary, unschooled people. Just look at Peter and John! God did the same in my life. And perhaps, you are next in line.

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One thought on “WANTED: Ordinary People”

Nice post. I really recognize myself as inept, inadequate and still lacking in experience. Yet I still believe that with God’s help, strength and adequacy is at hand. Thus, when the opportunity presents itself to serve, I couldn’t get myself to say “no.” I pray that a lot of people would be influenced as well by your message in this blog and may the life of Christ be seen in you more. God bless bro!